Method of connecting multiple fluid lines



Dec. 13, 1966 E. J. ZAHURANEC ETAL. 3,299,753

METHOD OF CONNECTING MULTIPLE FLUID LINES Original Filed May 25, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

I72 LOCKED I08 l 8 60 I56 UNLOCKE? I28 I22 '0 we I36 H2 1H6 us 100 90INVENTORS EMERY J. ZAHURANEC 8 62 0 201mm SZOHATZKY 66 BY 200 52 68Mafia? ATTORNEYS Dem i955 E. J. ZAHURANEC ETAL. 3,299,7fi3

METHOD OF CONNECTING MULTIPLE FLUID LINES Original Filed may 25, 1962 5Sheets-Sheet a F 6 INVENTORS EMERY J. ZAHURANEC 3 BY ZOLTAN SZOHATZKYATTGRNEYS Dec. 13,1966 E. J. ZAHURANEC ETAL' 3,290,763

METHOD OF CONNECTING MULTIPLE FLUID LINES Original Filed May 25, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 8

W V f I22 I |2o us 140 I58 I00 us INVENTORS 5 EMERY J. ZAHURANEC a 90 noF|6 9 BY ZOLTAN SZOHATZKY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,290,763METHOD OF CONNECTING MULTIPLE FLUID LINES Emery J. Zahuranec, Bedford,and Zoltan Szohatzky,

Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to CrawfordFitting Company, Cleveland, Ohio,a corporation of Ohio Original application May 25, 1962, Ser. No.197,713, now Patent No. 3,214,195, dated Oct. 26, 1965. Divided and thisapplication Dec. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 339,314 4 Claims. (Cl. 29--157) Thisapplication is a division of application Serial No. 197,713, filed May25, 1962 and now Patent 3,214,195.

This invention is concerned with coupling devices having particularlyuseful application in connecting together a multiplicity ofnoncommunicating fluid lines and, more specifically, it is concernedwith a method of connecting a plurality of fluid lines to a common base.

The relatively rapid expansion of the processing and instrumentationindustries over the past few years has underlined the need for acoupling device which may be used in simultaneously connecting anddisconnecting a multiplicity of fluid conducting lines. In theseindustries, it is often necessary to couple a large number of relativelysmall lines used in feeding gauges, metering apparatus, test equiment,process control devices and other instruments of the type commonly usedin connection with large control panels and the like.

In the case of complex panels, test chambers and so on, scores of feedlines and other fluid conduits may form a part of the system. It isnecessary in systems of this type to connect and disconnect these fluidfeed lines for purposes of cleaning, maintenance and replacement ofvarious system components and test fixtures. Usually, this necessity isrepeated with a relatively high degree of frequency.

In the past, it has not uncommonly been the case to fit each line withone or more separate connectors. Ob viously, the task of connecting anddisconnecting a number of such lines each time it is necessary to do socan and does reach sizeable proportions in terms of time expenditure andhuman effort. This unhappy fact is reflected in the high cost ofoperation and maintenance.

In order to conserve time and effort in coupling and uncoupling multiplelines of the type described, the invention in our Patent No. 3,214,195contemplates the use of the appropriate means by which a single couplingdevice may be used for the purpose of connecting and disconnectingplural lines, thus to minimize the problems which have heretoforeprevailed in operating and maintaining complex fluid handling equipmentand installations of the type prevalent in instrumentation, processingand testing environments.

It is apparent from our Patent No. 3,214,195 that the coupling devicefor the multiple fluid lines includes male and female base members inwhich male and female coupling members are received. The couplingmembers are closely spaced thereby rendering it diflicult to employ awrench in assembling the fluid lines to the coupling members on thebase.

, It is an object of this invention to provide a method of connecting aplurality of fluid lines to a common base. The method contemplates theprovision of a base having a plurality of closely spaced apertures in aplurality of rows and placing in each aperture a coupling member havingtool pad means and rotatable coupling nut means threaded on the free endthereof. An elongated holding means is positioned between adjacent rowsof coupling members and in simultaneous frictional engagement with thetool pad means of coupling members in the adjacent rows. Each of thecoupling nut means may then be rotated while the elongated holding meansprevents rota- 3,290,763 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 tion of the couplingbody thereby to secure the fluid lines to the coupling member.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedetailed description to follow.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a coupling device for multiple fluid linesshowing the coupling parts in the connected and locked position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the coupling device shown in FIG. 1 andshowing in phantom the manner in vwhich elongated holding tool means maybe inserted between adjacent fluid conducting members to maintain themagainst rotation during take up of the coupling nut means;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view partly in section taken along lines 33 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of one of the coupling members taken on line 44of FIG. 7;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the other coupling member taken on line 5-5 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the coupling memberstelescoped priorto actuation of the operating means to lock the memberstogether and to draw them toward one another to compress the sealingmeans;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the coupling members detachedfrom one another;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view with parts broken away and taken online 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, we have shown in FIGS.1-9 one preferred coupling design embodying the principles of theinvention. In these figures will be seen a coupling device indicatedgenerally at 10 for connecting multiple fluid lines, and including apair of male and femals coupling members 12 and 14, respectively. Ifdesired, the female coupling member 14 may be provided with a suitableexternal flange as at 16 having spaced fastener receiving apertures 18for mounting, in cooperation with suitable fasteners (not shown), suchmember to a panel, bulkhead or the like shown in phantom at 20 in FIG.1.

Th female coupling member 14 is provided with a generally axial inwardlyextending socket 22 having transverse bottom wall defining means 24 atits inner end.

A number of aperture-s formed on axes generally parallel to the axis ofthe female coupling member 14 extend through the transverse bottom walldefining means 24 as seen at 26. In each such aperture may be mounted amale nipple member 28. The central portion 30 of each male nipple memberis disposed within its associated apertures 26 and preferably is soproportioned relaitve to such aperture as to provide a clearance ofsuflicient magnitude to allow limited lateral translation of the nipplerelative to the female coupling member 14.

Projecting longitudinally forwardly of the central portion 30 is aportion 32 of reduced diameter and joined to the central portion bymeans of a radial shoulder 34. This reduced diameter portion 32 isadapted to be received within a female fluid conducting member to bedescribed subsequently.

At the other end of the central portion 30 is a longitudinallyrearwardly projecting portion 36 provided with enlarged diameter toolpad means 38 joined to the central portion 30 by means of a radialshoulder 40 which engages the rear face 42 of the transverse bottom walldefining means 24. At its free end the portion 36 is provided withappropriate coupling means 44 for connecting to the male nipple member afluid conducting line 46.

A lock ring 200 encircles the central portion 30 of the male nipplemember adjacent the transverse bottom wall 24 and in cooperation withthe tool pad means 38 main-' tains the male nipple member againstdisplacement from the aperture 26. Particularly useful for this purposeis a crescent ring because it permits a slight degree of angularmovement of the male nipple member relative to the female couplingmember 14 to accommodate slight misalignment of male and female fluidconducting members.

The male coupling member 12 includes a transverse base plate member 50and a coaxial compression plate member 52 generally parallel to the baseplate 50 but spaced forwardly therefrom along the axis of the malecoupling member. At least the compression plate member 52 is of a sizeto be received in the socket 22 of the female coupling member 14, andwhen so received both the compression plate member 52 and the base platemember 50 are generally coaxial with the female coupling member 14 andin general parallelism with the transverse bottom wall defining means 24of the socket 22.

As will be observed, the base plate member 50 defines a transverse endwall 54 opposed to the bottom wall defining means 24 of the socket 22and substantially parallel thereto. The compression plate member 52 isdisposed between these two wall defining means and is mounted upon baseplate member 50 for limited axial movement toward and away from thetransverse end wall 54. Any suitable means may be used for this purpose,although I have shown in the illustrated embodiments a plurality ofelongated headed machine bolts 56 screwed into threaded apertures 58passing through base plate member 50. A sleeve 60 disposed about a shankof each bolt 56 engages at opposite ends the head and the transverse endwall 54 of the base plate 50 to insure proper spacing betweencompression plate member 52 and base plate member 50.

A plurality of apertures 62 extend through the base plate member 50 incoaxial relationship, when the device is coupled, with the apertures 26in the female coupling member 14. Carried in each aperture 62 is afemale fluid conducting member 64 having a central portion 66disposedwithin the aperture 62 and a portion 68 extending longitudinallyforwardly from the transverse end wall defining means 54 of the baseplate 50. Portion 70 extends rearwardly from the base plate member 50and is provided adjacent the rear face of such member with enlargeddiameter tool pad means 72. Suitable coupling means 74 is provided forattaching an appropriate fluid line 76 to the female fluid conductingmember 64. The forwardly extending portion 68 of the female fluidconducting member 64 is counterbored as at 78 to receive snugly theforwardly extending portion 32 of the cooperating male nipple member 28.The end face 80 of each female fluid conducting member, as will be seenin FIGS. 6 and 7, initially terminate short of the opposed compressionplate member 52, but is subsequently brought substantially intoengagement therewith upon take up of the coupling device. The end face80 may, where desirable, provide a suitable annular groove 82 to receiveelastomer sealing means 84.

A suitable lock ring 86, preferably of the crescent variety, is employedto hold each female fluid conducting member within its associatedaperture in the base plate member and, as will be noted, suitableclearances are provided between the apertures and female fluidconducting members so as to allow for limited lateral and angularmovements, thereby to accommodate misalignment of the female fluidconducting members relative to the male nipple members.

In the illustrated embodiments, it will be noted that the elastomersealing means 84 in the free state extends longitudinally beyond the endface 80 of its associated nipple so as to be substantially compressed bymovement of the compression plate member 52 in the direction towardtransverse end wall 54.

Operating means, indicated generally at 90, is employed for locking thecoupling members together and for drawing the compression plate member52 toward the transverse end wall defining means 54 of the base platemember 50, thereby to compress the elastomer sealing means 84 andperfect leak-tight joints between each male and female fluid conductingmember. The operating means includes an elongated outer sleeve 92attached to the base plate 50 centrally thereof as by means ofcooperating threads 94.

Attached at the free end of the outer sleeve 92 as by means of setscrews 96 or the like is a cam shoe 98 providing bearing surfaces 100. Aconcentric inner sleeve 102 is slidably received within the outer sleeve92. The forward end 104 of the inner sleeve projects longitudinallybeyond the base plate and compression plate members 50 and 52,respectively, through coaxial aperture 106 provided in the compressionplate. member 52.

The rearward end 108 of the inner sleeve 102 projects longitudinallybeyond the rearward end of the outer sleeve 92 through coaxial aperture110 provided in the cam shoe 98. Aflixed to the rearward end 108 of theinner sleeve 102 is a housing member 112 having concentric bores andcounterbores 114 and 116, respectively, generally coaxial with the innerand outer sleeves 102 and 92, respectively.

Counterbore 116 forms a chamber within wln'ch a hollow bushing member118 is received. Suitable indention means 120 are formed at the rearwardterminus of the bushing to retain within the bushing a loosely mountedball 122. An elongated rod 124 is slidably received within inner sleeve102 and at its forward end portion is provided with a circumferentialgroove 126 adapted upon reciprocation of the rod 124 to move into andout of communication with spaced radial openings 128 provided in theforward end portion of the inner sleeve 102. Dis posed within eachradial opening 128 is a suitable detent member 130.

The rearward end portion of rod 124 extends through bore 114 into thehollow bushing member 118 to engage ball 122. Compression spring 132, atone end, engages radial shoulder 134 on the housing member 112, and atthe other, snap ring 136 on rod 124 normally to bias the rod axiallyrearwardly. At the same time compression spring 138 engages flange 140on the inner sleeve 102 and external flange 140 on the inner sleeve 102and internal flange 142 on cam shoe 98 to bias normally the inner sleeve102 axially forwardly.

Centrally mounted to the fem-ale coupling member 14 by cooperatingthreads 144 or the like is a hub 146 hav ing a bore 148 therethrough incoaxial alignment with and of a size snugly to receive the forward endportion of inner sleeve 102 on the male member, as seen in FIGS. 3 and6. Bow 148 is provided with an annular, inwardly opening detentreceiving recess 150 adapted to register with radial openings 128 ofinner sleeve 102 when the coupling member are telescoped. Overinsertionof the inner sleeve 102 into the bore 148 of hub 146 is prevented bysnap ring 152 located at the forward end portion of the inner sleeve.This insures the fact that the radial openings 128 and the detents 130will always fall into registry with the detent receiving recess 150.

Forming a part of operating means 90 and mounted by pivots 153 tohousing 112 for rotation about an axis perpendicular to that of rod 124and sleeves 92 and 102, is an actuator which includes a body 154 havingspaced depending parallel legs 156 which straddle housing 112 and rod124. The edges of such legs opposed to bearing surfaces 100 on cam shoe98 are provided with arcuate cam surfaces 158 which engage such bearingsurfaces 100 upon rotation of the actuator by means of handle 160.

As will be noted from an examination of the drawings, the radialdistance from the pivot axis of the actuator to the end edges 162 oflegs 156 is somewhat less than the radial distance to the side edges 164of such legs. Consequently, rotation of the actuator about its axis fromthe position shown in FIG. 6, for example, to that shown in FIG. 1 willresult in a rearward axial movement of the inner sleeve 102 as the zoneof engagement of the edge of such parallel leg 156 its associatedbearing surface 100 moves from end edge 162 along earn surface 158 toside edge 164.

Disposed between legs 156 is a camming member 168 which includes asloping forward surface 170 and a communicating notch 172. A slot 174generally coplanar with the camming member 168 is formed in the rearwardterminus of the housing 112 to accommodate the camrning member when theactuator is in the position shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The bottom 176 ofthe slot 174 is formed on an angle generally complementary to that ofthe sloping forward surface 170 of the camming member 168 so as toprovide a stop to limit clockwise rotation of the actuator and,additionally, to insure the fact that the camming member 168 may swingfreely in and out of the slot 174 upon rotation of the actuator.

It will be observed that upon clockwise rotation of the actuator, ball122 will be cammed forwardly as the sloping forward surface 170 movesrelative thereto resulting in a forward axial movement of the rod 124relative to the inner and outer sleeves 102 and 92, respectively. Whenthe sloping forward surface 170 comes into engagement with the bottomwall 176 of the slot 174, rotation of the actuator reaches its clockwiselimit and ball 122 becomes releasably locked in notch 172, thereby tohold the rod 124 at the forward extremity of its reciprocation.

To insure proper orientation between corresponding male and female fluidconducting members, a guide or locator pin 180 is mounted upon thefemale member 114 in the illustrated embodiment as by means ofcooperating threads 182 or the like. An aperture 184 is provided in thecompression plate member 52 and receives the locator 180 when thecoupling members are assembled. In this way, it is impossible to insertthe male coupling member into the female coupling member in any way butthat originally intended. For convenience, a suitable indicator 186 ofcolored plastic or the like may be mounted upon the base plate inaligned relationship with the aperture 184 to assist the operator inobtaining proper registration between such aperture and the locator pin180 during assembly of the coupling members.

An important feature of the invention lies in the manner in which thevarious male nipple fluid conducting members and, similarly, the femalefluid conducting members are oriented relative to one another in orderto reduce the over-all size of the fitting components without at thesame time reducing the maximum number of male and female fluidconducting members which may be carried by the coupling device. For thesake of simplicity in the drawings, the male nipple members, for Vexample, have been shown as being spaced a considerable distance fromone another. In actual practice, however, these members would normallybe positioned so close to one another that it would be impossible toapply a wrench to the tool pads 38 in order to hold such members againstrotation While coupling nut 44 is being taken up. To avoid this problem,the male nipple members and, similarly, the female fluid conductingnipple members are mounted in relatively closely spaced parallel rows asseen, for example, in FIG. 2. This permits an elongated holding toolmeans, such as rod 188 shown in phantom in FIG. 2, to be insertedbetween adjacent rows in the region of tool pad means 38 and therebysimultaneously to lock all the nipple members in each of these two rowsagainst rotation while a suitable socket wrench is utilized to take upcoupling nuts 44 which, incidentally, are provided with tool pads havingsubstantially smaller cross-sectional dimensions than those of tool pads38. It will be understood, of course, that the foregoing principle isapplied as well to the female fluid conducting members.

In operation, when it is desired to connect together the male and femalecoupling members 12 and 14, respectively, and thereby establish fluidcommunication between the multiplicity of male nipple members and femalefluid conducting members, the male and female coupling members 12 and 14are first aligned with one another as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Toaid in such alignment, the operator may avail himself of the indicator186 and locator means 180. Next, the male and female coupling members 12and 14 are moved axially toward one another until the male couplingmember is positioned within socket 22 of female coupling member 14.Cooperating guide pin 180 and aperture 184 insure the fact that themultiple fluid lines to be connected are properly oriented with respectto one another, thereby to prevent the wrong lines from being coupled toone another.

'It will be noted from an observation of FIG. 6 that the compressionplate member 52 is at this point of the coupling action engaged "byradial shoulders 34 of the male nipple members, but has not as yet beendrawn into engagement with sealing means 84. The actuating means is sopositioned that ball 122 is maintained in depressed relationship underthe influence of camming member 168. As a consequence, spring 132 iscompressed and rod 124 is held at the forward extremity of itsreciprocal movement in order that detent means 130 may be received ingroove 126 to permit the forward end of inner sleeve 102 to be passedinto bore 148 of hub 146.

When the coupling components have reached the relative positions shownin FIG. 6, the actuating means 154 is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection using handle 160. During the first few degrees of rotation,ball 122 moves downwardly along sloping forward surface 170 of cammingmember 168, thereby permitting spring 132 to elongate and draw rod 124rearwardly, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Such rearward movementcauses detent means 130 to be cammed from groove 126 radially outwardlyinto locking engagement with detent receiving recess 150.

Continued counterclockwise rotation of actuating means 154 causesmovement of arcuate camming surfaces 158 relative to bearing surfaces100, thereby to draw inner sleeve 102 and rod 124 rearwardly relative toouter sleeve 90, and base plate member 50. Inasmuch as detent means 130are now firmly locked within detent receiving recess 150, femalecoupling member 14 is drawn in the same direction as inner sleeve 102and rod 124. Radial shoulders 34, in turn, cause movement of compressionplate member 52 toward base plate member 12 with a resultant compressionof sealing means 84 between the rear face of the compression platemember and end face of female fluid conducting members 64, thereby toaffect a seal between such female fluid conducting members and theforward portion 32 of male nipple members 28.

To disconnect the coupling members, actuating means 154 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction from that position shown in FIG. 1, therebypermitting compression spring 138 to elongate and urge inner sleeve 102and rod 124 forwardly relative to outer sleeve 92 and base plate member50. This releases compression plate member 52 and permits sealing means84 to decompress. Continued clockwise rotation of the actuating meanscauses depression of ball 122 and consequent forward axial movement ofrod 124 to bring groove 126 into communciation with detents permittingthem to move radially inwardly out of locking relationship relative todetent receiving recess in hub 146. Male coupling member 12 is at thispoint free to be withdrawn from socket 22 of female coupling member 14.

In the event it should be determined that the degree of compressionwhich is exerted upon sealing means 84 by compression plate member 52 ismore or less than that 7 desired for optimum performance, a suitabletool may be applied to wrench engaging means 194 to vary the axialposition of hub 146 relative to female coupling member 14, thereby toadjust the distance compression plate member 52 is ultimately moved inresponse to the action of the operating means.

We claim:

1. Method of assembling coupling nuts to coupling bodies havingcomplementary threads therefor comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a base means having a plurality of closely spaced adjacentapertures arranged in a plurality of rows;

(b) inserting coupling bodies having unthreaded portions' and threadedportions into at least two of said apertures in adjacent pairs of rowssuch that at least part of said unthreaded portions and threadedportions are exposed;

(c) positioning an elongated holding means in frictional engagement withthe unthreaded portions of said coupling bodies in an adjacent pair ofrows to hold and thereby prevent rotation of said bodies in said pair ofrows, and

(d) rotating said coupling nuts to thread said nuts onto said couplingbodies.

2. A method of connecting a plurality of fluid lines to a common basecomprising: providing a base having a plurality of closely spacedapertures arranged in a plurality of rows; placing in each aperture acoupling member having multisurfaced tool pad means abutting the baseadjacent the aperture and rotatable coupling nut means threaded on thefree end thereof; positioning an elongated holding means betweenadjacent rows of coupling members and in simultaneous frictionalengagement with the tool pad means of coupling members in said adjacentrows; inserting fluid conducting lines in each coupling member whosetool pad means are engaged by the elongated holding means; rotating eachcoupling nut means in said adjacent rows while the holding meansrestrains the tool pad means from rotation thereby to tighten thecoupling nut on the coupling member and secure the fluid lines to thecoupling member; and

removing the elongated holding means from frictional engagement with thetool pad means.

3. A method of connecting a plurality of fluid lines to a common basecomprising: providing a base having a plurality of closely spacedapertures in a plurality of rows; placing in each aperture a couplingmember having a rotatable coupling nut means threaded on the free endthereof and multisurfaced tool pad means; inserting fluid conductinglines in each of a plurality of adjacent coupling members;simultaneously restraining from rotation by use of an elongated tool thetool pad means of each adjacent coupling member in an adjacent pair ofrows in which there is received a fluid conducting line; andindividually rotating each coupling nut means in said pair of rowsthereby to tighten the coupling nut on the coupling member and securethe fluid lines to the coupling members.

4. A method of connecting a plurality of fluid lines to a common basecomprising: providing a base having a plurality of closely spacedapertures in a plurality of rows; placing in each aperture a couplingmember having rotatable coupling nut means threaded on the free endthereof; inserting a fluid conducting line in each of several of saidcoupling members; by use of an elongated tool; simultaneouslyrestraining from rotation relative to said base each coupling member inan adjacent pair of rows in which there is received a fluid conductingline while individually rotating each coupling nut in said pair of rowsthereby to tighten the coupling nut on the coupling member and securethe fluid lines to the coupling members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,511,913 10/1924 Saunders. 2,196,929 4/ 1940 Linzakowski 81-13 2,202,895 6/ 1940Brinton 81-13 2,664,770 1/1954 Tomchek 81-13 FOREIGN PATENTS 110,6525/1940 Canada.

CHARLIE T. MOON, Primary Examiner.

1. METHOD OF ASSEMBLING COUPLING NUTS TO COUPLING BODIES HAVINGCOMPLEMENTARY THREADS THEREFOR COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: (A) PROVIDING ABASE MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF CLOSELY SPACED ADJACENT APERTURESARRANGED IN A PLURALITY OF ROWS; (B) INSERTING COUPLING BODIES HAVINGUNTHREADED PORTIONS AND THREADED PORTIONS INTO AT LEAST TWO OF SAIDAPERTURES IN ADJACENT PAIRS OF ROWS SUCH THAT AT LEAST PART OF SAIDUNTHREADED PORTIONS AND THREADED PORTIONS ARE EXPOSED; (C) POSITIONINGAN ELONGATED HOLDING MEANS IN FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UNTHREADEDPORTIONS OF SAID COUPLING BODIES IN AN ADJACENT PAIR OF ROWS TO HOLD ANDTHEREBY PREVENT ROTATION OF SAID BODIES IN SAID PAIR OF ROWS, AND (D)ROTATING SAID COUPLING NUTS TO THREAD SAID NUTS ONTO SAID COUPLINGBODIES.